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LazyLightning75 Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2016 Posts: 115 Location: Carmichael, CA
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 12:10 pm Post subject: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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I have a broken spring on the base of my driver’s side seat - several actually as I discovered after taking the seat apart. They’ve been welded in the past, but the welds have failed and the springs have torn through the seat covers. The seats no longer have the original materials and I need some help figuring out what’s supposed to be there.
Tcash (miss that dude) and echebus have some good write ups on the seats and I’ve gleaned as much as I can. Looks like the order for replacement material installation is as follows:
1) Black cloth or burlap over spring frame. Anything special here or just go down to the fabric supply store and grab something that works?
2) Hair-fiber pad or molded foam pad next. Both are readily avail. Any preference here on material?
3) Cotton batting or cotton sisel next. Not sure if this the correct terminology. Any suggestions on what to use here or where to get it? Fabric store?
4) Seat cover
Also, if anyone has the bottom spring frame for a 75-76 seat, I could use some springs from it. I’m willing to pay cost plus shipping. If not, I’ll put a WTB add in the classifieds. There’s a few seats in the classified, but I don’t need the entire seat and shipping looks like it would be a pain.
As always, I greatly appreciate the help. A few pictures below.
_________________ 1975 Riviera 1.8L FI |
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ivwshane Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 1920 Location: Sacramento ca
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 4:53 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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I can't help you buy I have a similar issue.
I wonder if you can just buy replacement springs. It looks like it would be easier to replace the showing rather than fix it. _________________ 77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab |
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alaskadan Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013 Posts: 1858 Location: anchor pt. alaska
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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Yeah welding them never lasts long. When I've had to try and fix a broken spring or more commonly an edge wire, I sleeve it with a piece of metal tube. Brake line or metal fuel line. Which still is only to be done in a pinch in the right situation. You could go to a worthy upholstery shop that has a good variety of springs for hand tied furniture bases and find a comparable spring. |
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LazyLightning75 Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2016 Posts: 115 Location: Carmichael, CA
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 9:46 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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I found some generic upholstery springs (9 gauge) that I think I can make work. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks for the input! _________________ 1975 Riviera 1.8L FI |
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 12:34 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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I second the brake line repairs, slid a piece of hose over each end and crimp down. Works well for one or two.
I may have a line on 76 seats. And I’m also coming to California in the near future. Hmm.....
🤔 _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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I second the brake line repairs, slid a piece of hose over each end and crimp down. Works well for one or two.
I may have a line on 76 seats. And I’m also coming to California in the near future. Hmm.....
🤔 _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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LazyLightning75 Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2016 Posts: 115 Location: Carmichael, CA
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 8:05 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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Let me know if you’re traveling through Sacramento. _________________ 1975 Riviera 1.8L FI |
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 8:21 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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LazyLightning75 wrote: |
Let me know if you’re traveling through Sacramento. |
That’s actually where I’m headed, grass valley area. Shoot me a text, 206-841-7324 _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16971 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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I’ve bought seat springs from [email protected] before. Call or email him. _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:26 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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aeromech wrote: |
I’ve bought seat springs from [email protected] before. Call or email him. |
Great idea 👍👍👍
206-523-6525 _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22670 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 4:28 am Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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That should weld easily. Something isn’t being done right if that’s weld breaks _________________ .ssS! |
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74 Thing Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7393
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 6:40 am Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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Best to get used seat springs from another frame and transfer them over to yours (passenger side is usually less worn). Welding never seems to work with springs. Using some sort of crimp as mentioned above is an alternative:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfW2K3_Hd18
You can probably take it to an auto uphl store and they can replace the broken springs as well. |
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aeromech Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 16971 Location: San Diego, California
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 6:50 am Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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You can probably take it to an auto uphl store and they can replace the broken springs as well.
Only if you bring them springs. So call Ken at thebusco _________________ Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound |
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LazyLightning75 Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2016 Posts: 115 Location: Carmichael, CA
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2018 7:00 am Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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Will do. Thanks for the advice. _________________ 1975 Riviera 1.8L FI |
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Purplebus1976 Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2019 Posts: 6 Location: Kaysville Utah
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Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 7:52 am Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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I don't see very recent thread here but I wanted share some learnings I am currently struggling with. Products and offerings change all the time so here is something current.
1.) The TMI vinyl reupholster kit I bought off Bus Depot specifically says you have to use the foam/vs the fiber cushion.
2.) Bus depot only sells the fiber cushion so I bought them. (I didn't know this was a problem until I received the TMI package.)
3.) The fiber horse hair does not fit my frames.... very close, such that I have spent hours trying to get them to fit.
4.) Either TMI is crap or they are serious about not using the fiber pad. Mine tore.
5.) Bus depot does not sell burlap. They do offer the stuff that looks like carpet pad. It is probably an 1/8" compressed. Doubled up around the frame it might add a 1/4" which might be part of my problem with getting the fiber cushions to fit my frame.
6.) I am very disappointed in BD for selling incompatible parts. I have very little time to mess around with returns.
Hog rings/burlap
1.) I think the hog rings suck. I successfully stitched my prepad material down with heavy upholstery thread. Again I did this extra step to try to compress everything tight to fit my cushions.
2.) When I re cushioned by rear bench I used some solar shade material in lieu of burlap. I also used zip ties to hold this in place. It was cheap and seams to work very well. I might try this on my front seats to see if I can actually get the cushions I have to work. |
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richparker Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011 Posts: 6983 Location: Durango, CO
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Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 8:22 am Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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Purplebus1976 wrote: |
I don't see very recent thread here but I wanted share some learnings I am currently struggling with. Products and offerings change all the time so here is something current.
1.) The TMI vinyl reupholster kit I bought off Bus Depot specifically says you have to use the foam/vs the fiber cushion.
2.) Bus depot only sells the fiber cushion so I bought them. (I didn't know this was a problem until I received the TMI package.)
3.) The fiber horse hair does not fit my frames.... very close, such that I have spent hours trying to get them to fit.
4.) Either TMI is crap or they are serious about not using the fiber pad. Mine tore.
5.) Bus depot does not sell burlap. They do offer the stuff that looks like carpet pad. It is probably an 1/8" compressed. Doubled up around the frame it might add a 1/4" which might be part of my problem with getting the fiber cushions to fit my frame.
6.) I am very disappointed in BD for selling incompatible parts. I have very little time to mess around with returns.
Hog rings/burlap
1.) I think the hog rings suck. I successfully stitched my prepad material down with heavy upholstery thread. Again I did this extra step to try to compress everything tight to fit my cushions.
2.) When I re cushioned by rear bench I used some solar shade material in lieu of burlap. I also used zip ties to hold this in place. It was cheap and seams to work very well. I might try this on my front seats to see if I can actually get the cushions I have to work. |
What year is your bus? I recently bought the TMI covers, foam pads and spring cover from BD. As I recall the BD foam pad add says to check your seat to make sure they are square and not tapered. Maybe we bought different items as I bought for a ‘71 bay and not a late bay. _________________ __________
’71 Westy build
Adventure thread
’65 Deluxe Build
’63 Deluxe Build |
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outcaststudios Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2015 Posts: 1732 Location: Maine
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Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 9:07 am Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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fwiw when you weld a spring, its no longer a spring. the metal gets annealed and is soft, but it will at least hold. _________________ '88Doka JX td
'69 westy
(rip)couple bugs
(rip)three type III"s
(rip) '81 vanagon
a bunch of french stuff,and 9 motorcycles.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2573791 |
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Purplebus1976 Samba Member
Joined: May 26, 2019 Posts: 6 Location: Kaysville Utah
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Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 10:27 am Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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I have a 1976. BD let's you upload your model. My assumption is that only items that fit that model pop up. The foam pads were not an option and I don't recall being asked to check the shape on the seat before ordering. I do know there as a change specific to this model year. The passenger seat has an open back. The TMI kit appears to accommodate this. Note I did have to send the first TMI kit back because it was not tapered. |
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Jetfxr69 Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2018 Posts: 1293 Location: White mtns nh
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Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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These are great cheap springs that are almost “ i-dentical” ( my cousin vinny). Used them across the front. Two corners were left alone and the two centers were clipped to correct bottom diameter for the keepers to grab.
_________________ You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. Zappa
‘77 westy Seamus
‘76 tintop Crusher
‘77 westy The Judge
‘72 tintop bastard westy Hudson |
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Jetfxr69 Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2018 Posts: 1293 Location: White mtns nh
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Posted: Sun May 26, 2019 2:17 pm Post subject: Re: Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions |
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I have to give all the credit for this find.
_________________ You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. Zappa
‘77 westy Seamus
‘76 tintop Crusher
‘77 westy The Judge
‘72 tintop bastard westy Hudson |
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